Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Euro Surveill. 1 November 2023; Volume 28 (Issue 44); 2300130.; DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.44.2300130
Jacquinet S, Martini H, Mangion JP, Neusy S, Detollenaere A, et al.
Euro Surveill. 1 November 2023; Volume 28 (Issue 44); 2300130.; DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.44.2300130
Since 2022, European countries have been facing an outbreak of mainly cutaneous diphtheria caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae among asylum seekers. In Belgium, between 1 March and 31 December 2022, 25 cases of toxigenic C. diphtheriae infection were confirmed among asylum seekers, mostly among young males from Afghanistan. Multi-locus sequence typing showed that most isolates belonged to sequence types 574 or 377, similar to the majority of cases in other European countries. The investigation and management of the outbreak, with many asylum seekers without shelter, required adjustments to case finding, contact tracing and treatment procedures. A test-and-treat centre was organised by non-governmental organisations, the duration of the antimicrobial treatment was shortened to increase compliance, and isolation and contact tracing of cases was not possible. A vaccination centre was opened, and mobile vaccination campaigns were organised to vaccinate a maximum of asylum seekers. No more cases were detected between end December 2022 and May 2023. Unfortunately, though, three cases of respiratory diphtheria, including one death, were reported at the end of June 2023. To prevent future outbreaks, specific attention and sufficient resources should be allocated to this vulnerable population, in Belgium and at international level.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Euro Surveill. 9 October 2014; Volume 19 (Issue 40); 20924.
Fitzpatrick G, Vogt F, Gbabai O, Black B, Santantonio M, et al.
Euro Surveill. 9 October 2014; Volume 19 (Issue 40); 20924.
Case management centres (CMCs) are part of the outbreak control plan for Ebola virus disease (EVD). A CMC in Sierra Leone had 33% (138/419) of primary admissions discharged as EVD negative (not a case). Fifteen of these were readmitted within 21 days, nine of which were EVD positive. All readmissions had contact with an Ebola case in the community in the previous 21 days indicating that the infection was likely acquired outside the CMC.
Journal Article > Short ReportFull Text
Euro Surveill. 11 December 2014
Baggi FM, Taybi A, Kurth A, Van Herp M, Di Caro A, et al.
Euro Surveill. 11 December 2014
Journal Article > Short ReportFull Text
Euro Surveill. 22 January 2015; Volume 20 (Issue 3); DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES2015.20.3.21017
Moreau M, Spencer C, Gozalbes JG, Colebunders R, Lefevre A, et al.
Euro Surveill. 22 January 2015; Volume 20 (Issue 3); DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES2015.20.3.21017
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Euro Surveill. 1 September 2021; Volume 26 (Issue 38); 2001385.; DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.38.2001385
Giuliani R, Cairone C, Tavoschi L, Ciaffi L, Sebastiani T, et al.
Euro Surveill. 1 September 2021; Volume 26 (Issue 38); 2001385.; DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.38.2001385
Prisons are high-risk settings for COVID-19 and present specific challenges for prevention and control. We describe a COVID-19 outbreak in a large prison in Milan between 20 February and 30 April 2020. We performed a retrospective analysis of routine data collected during the COVID-19 emergency in prison. We analysed the spatial distribution of cases and calculated global and specific attack rates (AR). We assessed prevention and control measures. By 30 April 2020, 57 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 66 clinically probable cases were recorded among a population of 1,480. Global AR was 8.3%. The index case was a custodial officer. Two clusters were detected among custodial staff and healthcare workers. On 31 March, a confirmed case was identified among detained individuals. COVID-19 spread by physical proximity or among subgroups with cultural affinity, resulting in a cluster of 22 confirmed cases. Following index case identification, specific measures were taken including creation of a multidisciplinary task-force, increasing diagnostic capacity, contact tracing and dedicated isolation areas. Expanded use of personal protective equipment, environmental disinfection and health promotion activities were also implemented. Outbreaks of COVID-19 in prison require heightened attention and stringent comprehensive measures.
Journal Article > Short ReportFull Text
Euro Surveill. 17 March 2016; Volume 21 (Issue 11); 30167.; DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2016.21.11.30167
Jones G, Haeghebaert S, Merlin B, Antona D, Simon N, et al.
Euro Surveill. 17 March 2016; Volume 21 (Issue 11); 30167.; DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2016.21.11.30167
We report a measles outbreak in a refugee settlement in Calais, France, between 5 January and 11 February 2016. In total, 13 confirmed measles cases were identified among migrants, healthcare workers in hospital and volunteers working on site. A large scale vaccination campaign was carried out in the settlement within two weeks of outbreak notification. In total, 60% of the estimated target population of 3,500 refugees was vaccinated during the week-long campaign.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Euro Surveill. 17 December 2015; Volume 20 (Issue 50); DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2015.20.50.30097
Vogt F, Fitzpatrick G, Patten GE, Van der Bergh R, Stinson K, et al.
Euro Surveill. 17 December 2015; Volume 20 (Issue 50); DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2015.20.50.30097
Prevention of nosocomial Ebola virus (EBOV) infection among patients admitted to an Ebola management centre (EMC) is paramount. Current Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) guidelines recommend classifying admitted patients at triage into suspect and highly-suspect categories pending laboratory confirmation. We investigated the performance of the MSF triage system to separate patients with subsequent EBOV-positive laboratory test (true-positive admissions) from patients who were initially admitted on clinical grounds but subsequently tested EBOV-negative (false-positive admissions). We calculated standard diagnostic test statistics for triage allocation into suspect or highly-suspect wards (index test) and subsequent positive or negative laboratory results (reference test) among 433 patients admitted into the MSF EMC Kailahun, Sierra Leone, between 1 July and 30 September 2014. 254 (59%) of admissions were classified as highly-suspect, the remaining 179 (41%) as suspect. 276 (64%) were true-positive admissions, leaving 157 (36.3%) false-positive admissions exposed to the risk of nosocomial EBOV infection. The positive predictive value for receiving a positive laboratory result after being allocated to the highly-suspect ward was 76%. The corresponding negative predictive value was 54%. Sensitivity and specificity were 70% and 61%, respectively. Results for accurate patient classification were unconvincing. The current triage system should be changed. Whenever possible, patients should be accommodated in single compartments pending laboratory confirmation. Furthermore, the initial triage step on whether or not to admit a patient in the first place must be improved. What is ultimately needed is a point-of-care EBOV diagnostic test that is reliable, accurate, robust, mobile, affordable, easy to use outside strict biosafety protocols, providing results with quick turnaround time.